Applying the social identity approach to leadership of online support groups for Long Covid

As many individuals with Long Covid are left without formal support, they have turned to online support groups for help. Previous research has shown that online support groups may improve group members’ wellbeing, but there is limited evidence on the role of group moderators in influencing such outcomes. Applying the social identity approach to leadership, this pre-registered study explored the applicability of the four dimensions of identity leadership in online support groups for Long Covid. Interviews were conducted with 10 members and seven moderators, to explore whether moderators displayed dimensions of identity leadership and whether this related to the health and wellbeing of both group members and moderators. Participants explained how the moderators of their groups had, or had recovered from, Long Covid (prototypicality), developed and maintained the ethos of the group (entrepreneurship), hosted activities for group members (impresarioship), and carried out advocacy work for the broader Long Covid community by engaging with policymakers, the media, and healthcare professionals (advancement). Group members reported improvements in symptom management, adjustment, and social wellbeing by engaging with online support groups, but members mostly attributed this to the support from other group members. Moderators reported finding purpose through moderating the groups, but sometimes this was to the detriment of their physical health. When considering the leadership role of moderators, group members reflected on the importance of characteristics associated with identity entrepreneurship, whereas group moderators were more likely to consider identity advancement activities. Seven recommendations are provided, to enhance the experiences of online support groups for both group moderators and members.